("The Study of Truth")copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmQMmBpcFy
It was cold but the cold was refreshing to Conner's inflamed skin. It was always like this when he made a crossover while in a heavily glamoured human form. copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmAuE3wjIC
He was not actually human. But for the sake of the argument, he was now. Plus, Garrett, his elder brother, was always saying things like 'immersion fosters the ability to live like one you were immersed around' or something like that.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RlzTKCraG
Garrett always said things like that. Evangeline would comment (well, if she was currently alive, anyway) something along the lines of 'dammit, pay attention, Conner!'.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q2RDot2B8
Someone was almost always chiding him for his severely limited attention span.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzvb49fAtX
Let's just say that he made a toddler human with severe ADHD look focused.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuPy4JjGat
Conner knew why they did it though. He didn't necessarily like it, but he could understand why it was necessary. It was because they wanted him to actually notice his surroundings and discreetly make his way through them.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡmckp4XOx0p
It helped when he was in his current form, his currently annoyingly human form. He liked how it was easier to enjoy the present and the world around him, but alas... he did not like how weak it made him, or how boring he thought it made him.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBZbN3k3DN
But whatever. It's not like he wasn't the one to decide to live as mortal for a while.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QiQpmzI3K
Garrett had been the one to suggest it, but ultimately it had been Conner's decision.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpWwP0uDyu
But, anyway, currently he had made his way into an office.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e62qU6LXK
By the mortals dressed around him, he could guess that it was sometime in the late nineteen thirties or early nineteen forties. A woman had greeted him at the main desk and gave him papers to sign.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXARN0enIh
He didn't have an identity here, nor any birth records that gave him one. All he had was his name, which had started out completely different and in his native tongue, but which he had changed some time ago to make it easier for mortals to pronounce.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VH4sw4WaC
Barely any of his siblings had kept their original names.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡreRyhhsn2p
The woman had smiled brightly at him and had seemed somewhat concerned with how red his skin looked at the moment. He had smiled back and made an excuse about a sunburn or something like that. She had nodded and accepted his excuse- but then again, it was really the only reasonable thing he could respond with.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BmItaIHxq
' "Just sign these papers and we'll call you up when they're ready for you!" she smiled and he had nodded and taken a seat in the crowded waiting room.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFlGJOdOKn
No one had even blinked at him when he sat down.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcCiKTzcgC
His glamour must be good, he concluded. That was good, since he had never held a glamour this long before. It had been almost a century since he donned it.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoeY6I9OqH
The linoleum tiles sparkled beneath his booted feet. A shadowy reflection showed a man of reasonable height with a average body type.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpmB56pjUa
He was dressed strangely for this time, but none of the people around him took notice, too immersed with anxiety, nerves, or their own daydreams. Conner was dressed in a worn pair of jeans and a plain cotton t-shirt, not many people were dressed like he was in the office, with maybe one other man wearing denim.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlmjD6ddjt
Most of the people around him were men, maybe two women in the waiting room beside the woman who had greeted him at the front desk. They were dressed smartly, plain clothes for the most part that had probably at least once been mended- but that was probably just a part of the times.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVR5UYN3Nd
He filled out the paperwork quickly, reading the terms and answering the questionnaire as honestly as he could. Place of residence? He answered vaguely, rattling off one of his cousins houses that she kept in the area. Age? He figured he looked to be about twenty two or three. Date of Birth? He laughed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3D7EId428
He was old-older than most worlds anyway and when you were that old, let's just say you didn't celebrate all your birthdays.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJtB37Igl2
He had been born in spring he thought. He rattled off the date of equinox, March twentieth give or take a day.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcXBhRA5Vn
A few minutes later his name was called and he handed the clipboard back to the woman at the front and she guided him into another room, a doctor's office where he would get a 'check-up'. Conner snickered to himself while he waited again. The odds he would be too 'sick' to sign up would be very low to say the least.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGqWN5F1aH
He couldn't even remember the last time he got sick.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡapqD1uLKK7
After making so many crossovers into so many different worlds and time periods he had managed to develop an immunity to almost everything.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMukK6BCGHx
Including most forms of plague. Looking at you, Black Death!copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40evW1BB3L
The only illnesses he could actually pick up were witch-born ones, but those were few and far between, what with the tendencies to lead to witch hunts. Nasty little things those plagues were.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡidbJRcdDXY
But he hadn't managed to catch one of those in at least a thousand or so years.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKs5uyG7fo
The door to the room slid open and a man in a white lab coat made his way in.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjoTOlVpWY
He was human (not that it was surprising) and was somewhere in his early thirties. His hair was light brown and cut short while his eyes were a dark mossy green.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfbmZ3zcGw
Dr. Thomas Greene his nametag read.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡargDwLbdTq
Dr. Greene was pale, like he had never visited, certainly not lived, near the equator. He kept clicking his pen, about eleven times per minute. He made 'mhmm' sounds as he read over Conner's papers, flipping through them several times before he even looked directly up at Conner.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡByK0sylnYi
He frowned when he looked at him, his brows furrowing.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9xxwwA5Jh
"You're Conner Hadrian Durard? Do you know Sara Durard, then? She came in earlier today with her son."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUJTxfFIty
Conner nodded, "She's a cousin."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ957T5zsrWq
Who he hadn't seen or talked to for at least sixty years, but that was normal.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiAgP6Nqcw
Dr. Greene nodded and went back to skimming the papers.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOqrIXGnG9
A couple minutes later he looked up and scanned him again and nodded.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQf3KkCcMz
"Alright, can you list any previous illnesses?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvReMGlz7x
Fuck.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pmwg4uXrb
He hadn't the faintest clue what illnesses were a thing in this world.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n2mrMH3Yt
"The flu?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCZuQLbbli
"Which flu?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr85YoatlC
"Uh, this year's flu?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs0HPrtwvr
Dr. Greene narrowed his eyes on Conner like Evangeline did when she caught him not paying attention. For a second Conner thought that he would call him on his clear lie, maybe even confess that he knew that Conner was immortal. He kinda wished the doctor would, it would be a hell of alot easier if he did.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ083ZDTLO56
The doctor looked back down and went back to making 'mhmm' sounds.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OyfUwE400
When all was said and done, he ended up doing a physical on Conner, unnerving the immortal with his constant poking and prodding. Within twenty minutes they were done and the doctor had given his stamp of approval and pushed him further along the line to recruitment which seeing as how the country was at war (or so he had been told after one awkward conversation later) he had been accepted quickly and quietly.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFtHmi9POE
In his defence, not every world had been subject to World War Two, just most of them.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡhONkOqezfk
See, there were certain events that were almost always written deeply into the fabric of existence, and World War Two was one of them along with the Hundred Years War or the French Revolution or for some odd reason, the Great Emu War.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm8dC3Kh7K
(He had never managed to figure the latter out, though.)copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOpKwL2FBR
But back to the subject, events like those were repeated countlessly in countless worlds, leading most of the humanities across existence to a remarkably similar path. Of course, some of the players changed depending on how prior events had played out.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSG8duzs3O
For example if Napoleon had actually managed to conquer Russia, or later, if Hitler had managed to conquer the Soviet Union or if the Soviet Union had replaced Germany in WW2 on the Axis team. Changes like those had of way of sending out repercussions.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJbUXOYH55
And he had no idea just where he had landed on the 'Oh shit what's happening? Where am I?' meter. Probably high up, he supposed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmUR7rC97e
He ghosted through the rest of the line, lost in thought and absently muttering to himself (garnering quite a few strange looks when people did notice him if at all). He was given a uniform that would fit him while he was under a glamour (but would certainly not when he went without it). He ended up back in a line for... hell, something.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r6Hzjc8Lf
A man was standing in front of him. He was around six feet two inches tall and smelled distinctly human. His auburn brown hair was cut close to his head on the sides but the top fell in a wave from his side part. He was stiff and his breathing was harsh, nervous.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxY8sWXqD2
"Something troubling you?" Conner spoke up and the man turned around slightly to lean against the wall as he made eye contact with the still red immortal.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5prWwSzG0
The human was quite attractive, nowhere near Conner's kind and their kind of beauty, but Conner could see how the man would attract others of his kind. His eyes were odd, heterochromatic with his right eye being a dark chocolate brown and his left being a pacific blue. He was frowning slightly but relaxed as he let out a slight chuckle.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHrTp1cBaY
"The country is at war, I believe I have reason to be troubled."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8vPhYLepp
Conner laughed and the man quirked a brow, "Yes, but that's not what's bothering you."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVuFnqbg0S
The man looked surprised, "You're American? What are you doing signing up in England?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNzHGYJTzU
Conner smiled, "Would you believe I took a wrong turn and signed up for the hell of it?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq2ogjm2xL
The man scanned him and looked into his eyes silently for a moment, "Looking at you, yeah, I'd believe it."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOHWu5nGln
"You don't sound English either," Conner pointed out and the man smiled lightly.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBa7jR63KG
"Ex-pat. Moved here with my parents when I was twelve. Been here for about eleven years now. How's it going stateside?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC701oknqR
Conner let out a nervous bleat, "Hell if I know. What year is this?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SGROaWbQi
The man laughed like he thought it was a good joke. "It's 1939. What'd you do? Take a nasty hit to the head? Or maybe... stay out in the sun too long? Though I must confess, I've never seen a sunburn that bad, especially not in England."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoTJwcACgl
Conner chuckled, "Well my head does hurt and so does my skin, so I guess either/and."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdYqeZOynf
The line moved up and the man slid along the wall a few feet. Conner followed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw86oWgl86
"I'm Conner." Conner held out his hand and the man took it to shake.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHvwr1J1E0
"Adam. You have quite the grip." Conner relaxed his hand and released him, a slight blush lighting up his cheeks, lighting up his inflamed skin once more.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXelosld0I
Adam laughed and Conner blushed a deeper red, "Sorry."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqfAwDxNZG
Adam smiled, "Nothing to apologize for, just didn't expect it."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCop9PqTR5
Conner relaxed and they made light talk as they slid through the line and the following checkpoint.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe37ArAVEA
They took their papers and headed back into the waiting room where an older man met them.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡD71SIywflv
"Adam, you know your mother is going to be furious with you, right?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf8kFi96b1
Adam nodded at the greying man, "Yes, Uncle. But she has her hands full with the twins so I think I'm safe for the time being."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5fedPFNKk
The man trailed light brown eyes over Conner, "Who is this?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡoosqgaYNpk
Conner held his hand out, "Conner Durard, pleasure to meet you..."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlAsFfKPlW
The man nodded but didn't take his hand, "Charles Brandt, I'm Adam's uncle."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx16LfWr3H
Conner nodded and Adam grinned, "Feel like a drink, either of you?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr5eRmoQaO
Charles shook his head and Conner checked his wallet, which was not a wallet but a leather drawstring coin purse that he had been using for three centuries. Charles looked at him oddly then at his nephew and shook his head and silently left the two of them.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt9LVP1FFn
Conner looked up and Adam laughed, "You're a little odd but I like you. Come on, I'll pay."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwUDCGTz7W
Conner grinned, "Fine with me, I'm pretty sure all that I have is foreign currency anyway."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTnm8fIw6S
Specifically, Blackslate coins that were only used among the Allied Family. He'd have to make a trip to a market hole. The tricky part would be locating the entrance. Hopefully there was one nearby, he'd have to ask Sara.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhmu3hj4XZ
"So what do you do for work?" Adam asked as they made their way down streets to the nearest bar.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡszvmc825Ha
"I'm nomadic, I've picked up skills to do just about anything, but none of it certified. All off the books sort of stuff." Conner revealed and Adam narrowed his eyes on him with a slight grin.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Y4qkcF2JM
"So I take it you travel a lot?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡV34hy7zScw
"Yup. It's pretty much all I do."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE5m1iv4oc
Adam chuckled, "You're meant for the military then. That was all my father could talk about when he came home from the last war. Much to my mother's discontent."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqbjQvvwye
Conner laughed and they were silent as they walked at an amiable pace to the pub Adam suggested.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtinLRvkJI
They stopped about ten minutes later at a homey looking building that seemed left over from the sixteenth century. How it had managed to survive time, Conner had no clue. Buildings weren't exactly built to last then. A sign hung apathetically from a post over the door.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAnXXogstF
The Bar of Bathcopyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI5Q1WmxtU
Was that a play on Chaucer? He was grateful it wasn't Shakespeare at least.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMo5a9WFuF
It was quiet and the atmosphere was cozy as they walked inside, pleasant smells trailing in from the back where the kitchens resided. Conner's nose itched as a sudden sharp scent bit at him annoyingly. The barman looked up and narrowed his eyes on the glamoured immortal.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡomgLjdazFD
"Is that you, Conner? You wouldn't happen to be travelling with Evangeline would you? I still owe her eight goats and I'd rather not have to attempt to convert that shit and account for inflation."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡelmkbnhyVK
Conner laughed at the expression on Adam's face.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHxQNH0Jnv
"Evangeline isn't with me, no. I haven't see your ugly mug in... wow it's been a long time, Xander."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMRFxaSIKy
The glamoured demon smirked then glanced at Adam.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZTIj56AD1
"Adam! How rude of me, what'll you have?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6JTXwBYgZ
"Whatever's potent enough to help me make sense of this."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFLkkivd0g
Xander narrowed his eyes on Conner and slipped into infliniterian, the universal tongue of the homelands. The guttural somewhat lilting language drew wide eyes from Adam, oblivious to the actual meaning.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmfF5zKbao
"Did you tell him about us? Your sister will not be happy with you."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvvWpst0qJ
Conner shook his head and replied back in english.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTpKeK3KX4
"No."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JrgowP9H0
Xander nodded and handed Adam a strange concoction which the human took like a shot, grimacing at the taste.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUw3QVvjVW
Conner sat down beside Adam at the bar. He looked at Xander, seeing through his light glamour.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UPsF4cJP9
There were a few types of glamour, the low energy overlay which Xander wore, a glamour that dulled down one's true image and masked it with another more mundane one, and Conner's, which actually transformed the bearer in some sense, dulling down natural instincts and abilities. The latter was more difficult to maintain, but could easily go unnoticed even by the most clear sighted of mortals.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQSf6hLWqs
Xander had probably scared some poor mortals shitless.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYnt2doxxj
Conner looked at Adam, "What do you see when you look at Xander?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAej2UofDd
Xander frowned at the other immortal.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr3iGazs7Z
Adam, feeling the effects of the miscellaneous cocktail, blinked hazily for a moment then looked at Xander.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4Yix0vVy3
He blushed, "Uh..."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2DulGoKV2
Xander's frown deepened at Conner then looked at Adam with a sigh.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlu1DaccDj
"He's uh..." Adam blinked, at a loss for words. Conner laughed and patted him on the back.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyobQVbmRK
"Nevermind. Just for a check, how drunk should I let you get?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7M3B8J0SF
"I'm already halfway there."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q0xRDH4Ql
Conner nodded and Xander placed down a shot that could knock out an elephant in front of the immortal which Adam looked like he was going to steal if he wasn't quick enough. Conner seized it quickly and downed it easily, holding it out to Xander to be refilled. He'd need several more to actually feel the effects in any way. As it was, he was glad it had a pleasant melon taste.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2TMdJHp6z
Xander handed Adam a human sized dose of a shot which the mortal downed quickly. Xander grinned, "Conner, look's like someone wants to have a drinking contest."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡavGWyh5iiX
Conner grinned, "We shouldn't."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkNZRFDzJt
"Fuck yes, we should!" Adam cheered in a whisper-yell.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7wOTKyBaE
Adam blinked hazily for a few seconds, "What was in that thing you gave me? God, whatever it was, it was strong."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡak9RhI9m1r
Conner frowned at Xander to which the demon slipped back into their native tongue to respond. copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0M7ZENCew
"A little witch's truth brew. Grade max twelve. He might be... a little loose for the next few hours."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69DCXxmv8w
Conner chuckled, "Just water it down for him for now on."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jRjb82kv4
Xander nodded and held his hands up in a surrendering motion.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP4yX4dKGr
"I don't even know how he found my place. He must be somewhat clear-sighted. He never looks directly at me for the most part so he's been fine. As it is, he usually doesn't make eye contact til he's already drunk. He's a lot of fun, I'm just warning you."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMBUpzrL4A
Conner nodded and held out his hand, which Xander handed over the whole bottle he had been pouring Conner's shots from.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡieUay5jBqO
The immortal drank from it casually as the three of them made light chatter and Xander began to water down Adam's drinks right as the first ones began to really kick in. Conner's own drinks were nowhere near enough so he had the demon barkeep give him the harder stuff as Adam began to explain his whole life to the two immortals.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcEKLBOZlv
"My sister hates my guts- my older one I mean. I think it's been that way since she met me to be honest, I think I just rub her the wrong way. My younger one loves me- I think she idolizes me more than our little brother does and that's saying a lot considering how he used to try to go to school with me when he was a toddler. He was a smart little bugger too, wasn't even afraid of anybody else, would just stick to side streets and follow me to school. Scared the ever loving shit out of my mother, let me tell you. Karen, my younger sister, was pissed that every time she tried to come along Mother would catch her. Do you know how many times I had to cut class to bring his ass back home-too many times, let me tell you."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCi2xHBZtG
"What about you two, you two have any siblings?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLUuWtzf40
Conner and Xander burst into laughter.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KcHvYjjXE
Yeah, they had siblings. A ridiculous amount of them and at least hundreds of nieces and nephews- and that's only since they started to be able to procreate outside of the Family. But trying to explain that to mortals was awful. Technically, they didn't have blood the way that mortals did, nor the DNA that gave humans the codes that made them who they were and all that. No, it was simple magic that gave them life- make that raw power, specifically the Ancient's raw power.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoh6qOO1Oh
So while they had an immense number of siblings, none of them were technically related outside of the fact that they came from the same beings. It was weird and trying to explain to mortals was a pain in the ass to say the least so for the most part they kept the information regulated to the actual members of the Family and their mates.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo3CSZ6sea
"What? You two don't have siblings?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiVE0qDjJA
"No," Xander chortled, wiping a tear from his eye, "Let's just say the Family is quite large."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyYfFp4trT
Adam didn't pick up on the capitalization, but no one expected him to.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9hOL9NRB2
"My closest brother's name is Garrett. We look practically identical except for the hair and eye color. Can't go anywhere without somebody mentioning it." Conner stated wistfully.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23lYIlolE8
"Evangeline is his on and off again girlfriend, so she's practically Family-"technically she was Family too, one of the daughters of Hecate, so in lay-terms, a cousin of sorts "-she's more like an older sister to me though, and she certainly nags like a concerned older sibling too. Garrett's in love with her, but the problem is that he's also in love with this beauty named Clara. Evangeline knows he is too, so she always steps aside when Garrett goes back to her. I mean, it must hurt to do that, but she keeps doing it so I guess she's just a sucker for pain at this point."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDGVTmkYPL
Conner thought about his eldest sister, Juliet.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAV8oHhczT
She was the reigning monarch of Darla's side of the Family, and also her adopted father, Dante's as well. She was the eldest child of the Ancients, even out of all of the hundreds, if not thousands of them.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBWzzFVY0A
"Then there's Juliet," Conner regaled, "She my eldest sister, she puts up with everyone's shit in the Family and somehow makes it all better. I don't know how she does it, but she does it, sure enough. The Family would go to shit without it."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WdNR69c4Z
Adam nodded and looked at Xander. The demon let out a drawn out sigh.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVAT3ZAlb9
"Nope, I got nothing. I haven't even spoken to my family in over a decade."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqLb0lQWkR
Adam narrowed his eyes on the demon, blinking fast like he thought that would make his features easier to make out.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqOJdGQnSU
"How old are you, Xander? I mean, I can never tell. I can barely tell what you look like most the time." Adam muttered and Conner clapped him on the shoulder.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRQXKUWlg8
"Anyway..." Conner drolled, "What made you sign up to join the fight?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuzhGzDxvX
Adam looked at him blankly, "It's what my father would have wanted me to do, if he was still alive. Uncle will always take care of my mother, so I don't have to worry about what I'm leaving behind as long as the war is not brought too close to home."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2ndLBTCYM
"I know you said you signed up for the hell of it, but what was the real reason?" Adam asked and Conner gave a small smile.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlDnjnifJy
"Me? I've never been one to sit on the sidelines as much as my Family would want. They threatened me the last time I did something like this. 'Conner! We're not allowed to interfere! There's always a price to pay!' and things like that."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe3XwJx9g3
Xander snorted, "You should listen to your siblings. There is always a price. Just because you haven't been the one to pay doesn't mean you inevitably won't."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F5tSR5Mt4
Conner frowned and Adam clapped him on the back this time, "I'd probably risk it to, if I were you. My father would always get on my about doing shit like that too when I was younger. Never did learn anything though. So if you're going down, so am I."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0pbnIzGYj
Conner smirked, "At least it'll be fun."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡemxhj40Qdh
"And there it is, folks!" Xander cried, "We have come across the real reason, he's looking for entertainment! What happened, got tired of whoring around, Conner?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjXZNPQSCj
Conner chuckled, "Nope, besides lots of sexual frustration makes people more willing to get down and dirty."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡWajmmH5Vn3
Adam and Xander shook their heads.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBpMTJQUA4
"I pity the men who get stuck with you, whore."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡbun8tbYj4B
Conner looked appalled, "Me, a whore? Never. Not without getting paid first at least."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1LWo7Et32
Adam looked aghast.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiEW5xGWrg
"Joking," Conner teased, "Besides, all I require is to be bought a drink first."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DKpMdALxF
He cocked his eyebrows at the human and Adam choked on his drink.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaG774fLyj
Conner and Xander burst into laughter.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5Cs1I0IFr
"Don't worry," Xander chuckled, "Tonight's is on the house."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG5J6RXGCv
That didn't stop Xander from making an obscene gesture with his mouth and right hand for a moment, making the human blush like crazy under the gas lighting.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYF26M7mxF
Conner chuckled to himself, he liked how the human suddenly got shier around him.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlKjOM2OvH
He knew it was not the time period for it, but hell if he was willing...copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡguoldvcbbP
Conner downed the rest of the bottle, pleased as he began to feel it hit him, warming his body and creating a pleasant buzz. It took a few minutes for the human to get back to looking him in the eye and Conner blinked when Adam suddenly looked wide-eyed. Conner looked at Xander but the demon wasn't paying attention, wiping down the bar.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyNmAU8IhG
"What?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX29hQVjEq
Adam blinked, "You look different. Taller and everything."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VVqg8Vsk7
Shit.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1F5ng0vYh
Shit. Shit. Shit.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnfeww4sPJ
He'd have to take off his glamour to replace it with a new one.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQEOhUWcnh
He glanced at himself in the mirror behind the bar. His skin had lost the red tint, back to the color of milk while his hair was darkening and becoming redder by the moment. His eyes were flickering from a dark green to baby blue and he knew it was only a matter of minutes before it all evaporated away.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFiZLGfLbe
He looked at Xander and the demon looked up, frowning at him.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nBhB7NGzD
Conner turned to Adam, "Do me a favor?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsu4gLZdYn
Adam swallowed and nodded, still scanning him, seemingly fascinated by his changing features and coloring.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡui2NhOtxzF
"Wh-what's happening?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC3mTEuHl3
Conner swallowed, "How drunk are you, right now?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLwPPNBP0z
"Oh, I'd say I'm quickly sobering."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvRfj83NGC
He looked like it, too.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrfvO8aiQv
"Okay, Adam. I need you to uh, not freak out. Can you do that?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbhT16GCWG
"Conner, no." Xander interceded.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9c3ovcsiS
Conner glanced at him, "He's cool. I'll take him to Sara's tomorrow and we'll sort everything out. Wipe him if we have to, but for right now....I'm willing to take a leap of faith."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ljkh8trrj
Xander glared at him, "If you have to, kill him. Exposure is not a good thing in this current time period."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNveGxln9i
Conner nodded.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lrgpPMBi5
He turned back to Adam, "Okay, I need you to close your eyes. Just staring at me while it happens is going to be hell on your eyes and your mind. I'll tell you when to open them."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnQNH7Wazn
Adam's breathing was harsh and he was on the verge of a full blown panic attack. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down, but Conner could tell it wasn't really working.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwa0LRx7fH
He made short work of dropping the glamour, his head beginning to pulse in mild pain. His teeth clenched and he let out a small grunt of discomfort as his body transformed back into its true form.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj2QzrGm3Y
He was taller, closer to seven feet than he was to six. He blinked sharply as his eyes flickered back to their true shade, burning ever-so-slightly.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxlhl3pheY
It was kind of relieving. He swore that he'd stick to the lesser level glamour, at least for the time being. He had his papers from the office so he knew roughly what he had looked like. Luckily, his actual facial features had only shifted minimally.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIvPIhHgoW
He blew out a breath, "Okay, open your eyes."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAOEMxvfKh
Adam opened them slowly, scanning him up from the floor.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNf0EPskbv
He looked wide eyed at him, "Oh my god."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD3EUoHjGV
"You vampires, look what you get yourselves into." Xander shook his head and Adam looked to him.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡikEOam5RDt
"Are you- are you one too?" He stuttered and Xander snorted.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAh4BVU3f6
"No, I'm no vamp. But the less you know the better."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyJCcD1UXH
Adam looked back at Conner, looking up to meet his eyes, "Oh, wow."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg2t4cQ94t
Conner grinned nervously, swaying from side to side as his strength began to kick back into full gear. He began to tap the bar repetitively, his superior speed already making it uncomfortable for him to stay in one place for too long.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS4UXFPRJ5
Adam kept blinking at him, as if he didn't believe his eyes.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiDGUQkVKi
Conner wouldn't if he were him.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzyF3CRULW
It was all kind of unbelievable, but he had at least been born into it. It was probably stretching Adam's mind out to say the least.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡooPtiM88ER
"Uh... okay, I'm not freaking out. But uh, wow."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBaRi4HC0r
Conner forced himself to nod slowly as his body grew back into his natural restlessness.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD1tj55bZQ
He'd forgotten how annoying it was.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oeWRxJ0Fn
Adam blinked, his panic attack dying down.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTZ1Kh6rU7
"So you're uh..."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPLUi40nfZ
"A vampire, yes."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡenntkf13fG
"This is...uh..."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7Aq9kHgMC
"Unbelievable?" Conner supplied and Adam nodded.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGr8BJdB7t
Xander handed the mortal a bottle of what looked like whiskey, thankfully mortal dosaged. Adam gripped the bottle tight and took a swig. He looked like he was trying to think of something to say but every time he seemed to be back to surprised and so tried to compensate by guzzling down the bottle.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmQZPaeQet
"So you... drink blood?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFA76KsN0f
Conner laughed, "I'm old enough that I can go a while without drinking if I want. At this point it's more of a habit of pleasure than actual need. I personally eat human food and drink. Not all of my kind do, but most of us find that human food stuffs taste good too."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnVRwwBJ7I
Adam nodded and looked away until Conner's constant shifting drew his attention.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI43HUeWKs
"What are you doing?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi80peKS2K
Conner let out a bleat of anxious laughter, "I am... readjusting to my true form. I can run... um, really fast. I'm the fastest of all of us, it's kinda my thing."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r83jEAUoH
Adam nodded and took another swig.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBqIE8CS4n
"So you're not going to eat me?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡluFtv5IfYK
"No, not unless you want me to."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06c89vNJqc
"Want you to? When has anyone ever wanted to be eaten?" Adam was aghast and looked back and forth between Xander and Conner, the former having gone back to the obscene gesturing to explain.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3NSLr0nk5
Conner and Adam blushed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFAq95wSlu
"Um, I'm not-" Adam began, "But it's okay if you are, I mean."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlAPuKlitL
Xander smirked at Conner from the sidelines while Adam swallowed and tried to do something or another, certain human behaviors were really beyond Conner's understanding.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVPhNAJOY3
But he figured the human was trying to put a word to his sexuality, or something like that.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJJuaTzHMU
Most immortals didn't see the point with that. You love who you love, you fuck who you fuck and all that jazz- why humans always wanted to put a word to something like that he had no clue.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpgMeLwA30
Conner explained his logic to the human and Adam nodded and downed the rest of the bottle in return.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxVbOILywJ
"That's a nice way of thinking. My grandparents were really religious, I think they would roll in their graves if I were gay though."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqtlUDftk1
"If they loved you it wouldn't matter. Family ain't your true family if they don't accept you for who you are. Gay, hetero, etc..." Conner stated and Xander handed the immortal a bottle of bloodwine from the small fridge under the bar.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡowqFjFqPft
This particular bottle was made from a... young woman, somewhere around twenty when it was bottled. The wine part was older, around a century.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB0LMPtyn0
Adam nodded, "Just wondering, but what do other races think of humans?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZqLllpAPK
Xander laughed, "Let's just say we find mortals amusing. Outside of that it varies upon the individual."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdg3TzIjpY
Adam's brows furrowed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfzN0mCuV0
Conner clapped him on the back lightly, careful to not be to rough, "Personally, I think humans are fun. Interesting to look at and talk to. Your lives are so much simpler, yet so much more fulfilling than most of the immortals I've met. There so brief, and you all put so much meaning into them. You create purpose for yourselves and I envy that. Immortals simply look for ways to amuse themselves. We have nothing really driving us forward. Humans have the desire to better themselves- witches do too, but even they feel apathy keenly like one of us does occasionally. Humans, while they feel it sometimes, somehow manage to push through and do something with the short times they are given to live."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd0WYmhnW6
Adam looked surprised at his words, "You sound like you envy us."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zkoCdYlwn
Xander sighed, "Immortals are not the best to look to when it comes to finding meaning in life. Perhaps part of that comes from finding all meaning simple, maybe not easy to explain, but easy to comprehend."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjDT6DfJ8a
Conner leaned back on the bar stool, "And don't you all have a concept of soul mates? Most immortals don't. Some types do, but most of us choose our mates if we have any at all. Most of the time it sets us up for inevitable pain. Family members who are full immortal outlast everyone they know who isn't up to par vitality wise."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEoKAm6RK3
Adam quirked a brow, "So neither of you have soulmarks? That sounds awful."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSDjgfxfA4
Conner shook his head with a teasing grin, but his tone was melancholy.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTnfMuT2d2
"You make the best of it." He looked back at Adam, "So what are your soulmarks? How does that all work?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXGBIgYO8I
Adam shrugged, "Hell if I know. Mine isn't even a word- it's a symbol of some sort. Got weird looks as a kid because of it."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7BvqRKX6l
Conner smirked, "I'll show you my fangs if you show it to me."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JfpZ2TT57
Adam grinned back in response, "What are they? Retractable?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi4CUMTSB2
Conner took a sip of his drink, "You'll just have to wait."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt9cYz4Jxb
Adam slid off the stool and promptly fell on his ass on the wooden plank floors.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zVkZUmTOr
"Damn," He muttered, "Guess I drank more than I should've."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KK4nERgxt
Conner bent down and lifted him off the floor like one would do a glass doll.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9WslV2qFA
Adam narrowed his eyes on the immortal, "That didn't feel patronizing. No, not at all."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKax49sq2g
Conner grinned, "Chin up, buttercup. I'll help you home."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡS20C7nhZEO
He winked just to make Adam blush again and choked on his drink, his lips stained a bloody red.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXYpqkksKZ
He licked his lips and waited for Adam to make the next move, but the mortal was slow on the uptake appearing fascinated by his small display. Conner clicked his tongue to knock him out of it.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mJcUOmmfo
"I know I'm a knockout and all, but..."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7rEKz21yG
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Adam unbuttoned his shirt and took off the button up to reveal a well-built upper body and a white wifebeater undershirt. Conner could faintly spot a gold symbol emblazoned into his chest, about an inch above his heart. He released his bottle back onto the bar and needled the undershirt down enough to decipher it.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1EOq48LwT
Xander's breath caught.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzguMaj8xy
"Is that?" The demon began and Conner nodded.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaGYOqxQr6
"It's how we originally wrote our names, quite a while before your own creation, Xander." The vampire remarked, his eyes slightly confused to the viewer while unrest stirred within his mind.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi8b7yggjN
He knew that name, because it was most certainly his name. It was the sigil that he had once given his mortal lovers to invoke him with in his earlier years.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94mqz9BSh8
"So..." The mortal drawled, "Do you know whose name this is then?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOj7N7xlYZ
"Uh... how about those fangs now, huh?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvhAHp9XFs
The human rolled his eyes with enough attitude to cut stone.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPx7f7gRZy
"Sure, why not?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrmiyaq5vo
Conner grinned and revealed his canines to the human, "Watch carefully."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XUnxBMGzs
Adam nodded and suddenly the teeth appeared to sharpen into two slightly longer canines that he knew were deadly just by looking at them.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jhHrxOHoO
"That's.... Wow."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡfofCHNM7Ti
Conner chuckled, trying to push off his own oncoming anxiety attack. Adam failed to notice the vampire's discomfort but Xander did not.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZfqmN29tB
"You know who his soulmarks belong to?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDVSkmp84O
Conner sighed, "Yes."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkccWT0J0U
Xander let out a growl, "Well are you going to keep us waiting?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xThYf40ox
His switch to english sounded almost as guttural as their native tongue but the mortal beside them noticed all the same- like Xander had well wanted him to.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZaxSvTiDX
Adam looked between the two of them and rolled his eyes and tried to stand up, nearly falling on his ass yet again.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BhiNecOYd
Conner narrowed his eyes on Xander, "Mine, are you happy demon?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0KBhIRmJg
Xander looked taken aback and glanced at the stumbling human whose grip was digging into his precious antique bar. His eyes narrowed at the infringement but relaxed again when the words resounded through his mind.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkf5S8ALqe
"What are you going to do?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwP1PCg1re
"What do you think? I'm getting him home and then I'll... I'll.... Hell, I don't know. I'll do something. He isn't even attracted to men!"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9fZKxHCTq
Adam was looking in between the two immortals, sighing when he went on ignored.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNL8SDgtpH
Xander snorted, "Did you see the way he was checking you out, let me assure you, he most certainly is attracted to men. Or at the very least you."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8dw939p5A
The comment was made along with a muttering under his breath of vampires and their irritating looks.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkKUjvr17l
Well, someone was jealous.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ8d71Roug
Adam tried to step away from the bar but stumbled back and Conner instinctively steadied the human lightly (okay, maybe a bit too hard).copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bpjIzmSZs
"Damn, there's that grip again."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEMcy5HZ7P
Conner blushed, "Sorry."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzPtMWvElZ
Adam frowned, "We've already been through this."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqbkKUT7MT
Conner nodded and dropped a few of the Blackslate coins on the bar, which Xander quickly seized up with a flourish, calling out to the vampire as he escorted the human out of the pub, which was most certainly in a hole in the wall.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfxmr5s95z
"Figure your shit out, Conner! Before it bites you in the-"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq8OUVLpz6
The door to the pub slammed shut and they walked into the street without looking back.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuxBOhvIph
The roads were deserted, time having passed quicker than either of them could have guessed. Conner expected it- immortal hubs always had a way with fucking with time.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYx8lZeN8k
Adam was leaning on him for support, but it was awkward given the severe height difference. Conner sighed and they hobbled down the streets, Adam telling him the directions to the flat where he lived alone, having moved out of his family home fairly recently.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8KvWFqH4Z
He pointed out certain landmarks along the way, talking about his own childhood as he went. Conner listened quietly, restless as hell. All he wanted was a good run, but he would not be getting that anytime soon. Well, at least not soon enough anyway.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡOutm5iEB13
He had a little too much energy to burn, at this point he could probably circumvent this earth a couple times before it fully burned off. He sighed once more.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD2qMnp0ay
"Am I boring you?" Adam asked and Conner sent him a wry grin.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxG52DKslP
"Nope. Just restless. I've never really been able to stick to a human pace when it comes to walking in my true body. Though I'm not one for walking in general."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9kVwqea1g
Adam laughed, "What? Do you run everywhere you go?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUTglFDKGO
Conner nodded, "Kinda have to. Have to burn off the energy somehow. It's why I was wearing that glamour. It's one of the only ways I can actually relax."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1l07nDRPY
Adam stared at him for a moment, "So you can't relax in your true form? That must suck."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh81dFrsPs
Conner shrugged, "Trade-offs. I've been told that the excess energy makes me fun in bed."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3nCkJhXuY
He muttered the rest musingly, "Though it's a little difficult with my mortal lovers. When I was young, I managed to hurt one of them accidently. She forgave me, but uh... it made an impact on me."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNZ6N7trYj
Adam nodded, "So why don't I give you my address and you speed us over?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFAyHOd8g3
Conner's eyes went wide with excitement, "That sounds fun. I'll still be going pretty slow, but it would be better than this at least. You might even have a little fun too."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ7ZBrITod
Adam rolled his eyes, "I bet."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa0RgOYKfX
Conner moved in front of him and picked him up by his legs and slung him onto his back, Adam's hands falling to wrap around his neck.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FDFdltrtK
"This is uh... wow you're tall. How tall are you? What? Seven feet?copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5JB5l2Oer
Conner laughed, "I'm actually average sized for the Family. Juliet is my height and she wears heels too. She scares the hell out of mortals when she comes out without a glamour. To be honest, I think she does it to get a kick out of it. She's a little sadistic, but hey, we all have our vices."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16B1YSPXD5
"Close your eyes." Conner ordered and Adam obeyed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIKznXURpo
Conner wrapped his hands around the man's legs to keep them secure and then took off. He arrived within a few seconds at the flat building, having got lost briefly without Adam's continuing instructions.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTtlvyGymV
"Okay, open your eyes."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn2Bp1ufY7
Adam opened them and Conner carefully dropped the mortal to his feet, steadying him when he stumbled. Pure shock was apparent in his face.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUP4td2n4r
"Damn, you are fast." He blinked, "Didn't you say you would go slower?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGkf1QNIoa
Conner rubbed the back of his neck, "I uh, did."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnyGZXHtdG
Adam turned his wide eyes on the vampire, "How fast are you exactly?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxAqB4EDrI
Conner shrugged, "I've circumvented worlds a few times to take the edge off. I can usually do that within ten minutes."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dopsqgg9E
Adam merely blinked for a few stunned moments.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN1Zu0Xbta
"Aren't you going in? You'll probably need to sleep off your drinks."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4Itvjx9XZ
Adam nodded, "You want to come up? I probably won't go to sleep in a while. I think you managed to wake me up pretty well."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2chsFHIVQ
Conner shrugged, "Sure. Sara's probably asleep now anyway."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmEom8pkkT
He followed the human up the steps of the building then up two floors to the third floor door where his flat took up house. Adam unlocked it and entered, tossing his recruitment papers and new uniform on the dining table.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcYdFuxcEv
It was a large open space cordoned off by bookcases into separate rooms. The floors were dark hardwoods that matched the beams that held the ceiling in place, covered in some places by a few rugs. There was a small kitchen next to the small dining area for four people, leading into a cozy looking living area, small but nice with a small table with an open book on top, its pages bookmarked with dog eared folds. A small radio was on the third shelf of the bookcase in front of the couch, which Adam turned on as he passed the room absently.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwyoN13vKZ
A soothing jazz ballad rocked through the air easily.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7l0wI9W3t
Adam had thrown his button up on the wooden chair in the bedroom area, tossing the things in his wallet on the small bedside table before he came back out and waved Conner further into the flat.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyFOMljkyX
"So... what do you do to occupy time?" Conner asked and Adam shrugged.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKun8ipcN9
"I usually read or sketch a bit after work. What do you do?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡbagxbNgkJj
Conner shrugged in return, "Run, read, listen to music, go out and get lucky if I want. I get bored easily so I look for things to occupy my eternal existence with, its why I was signed up to fight. Or really how, because I uh, just stumbled into the recruitment office looking for something to do."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzSunEPGYn
Adam gave him a dry look, "That seems reasonable."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO88chqBte
Conner brightened, "I knew you'd understand."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFo1czOsUx
Conner dropped his smile, "Do you have any food?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI6Ecui2bh
His stomach growled to punctuate his hunger and Adam laughed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP5yXiPoTj
"Check the cabinet."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEY0FbAuDv
Conner zoomed over to the cabinet and began his inspection which was brief to say the least. He pulled back with a pout.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pd84qDnsO
He held out a small box, "Instant pudding? Is that all you eat because there is an inexcusable amount of it."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡESEKqB2g0W
Adam laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCAyDfJdKn
"Well..." Conner trailed, "I'm going to go look for a rapist to snack on because let's be honest, I don't have the patience right now to find something that's open, let alone cook something myself. And unless you're volunteering..."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMNWVRmyeO
Adam shook his head, "I'm not."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTG1E7DGnD
Conner grinned, "Are you sure? I've been told my bite is absolutely orgasmic."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXfdvTtf6d
Adam blushed and Conner's grin deepened.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPZqMUi8tx
Adam shook his head and Conner flitted away, accidently slamming the door a little too loudly. Adam for his part propelled himself onto the sofa and picked up the book to read while he waited for the vampire's return.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQqDR4LuL8
Conner was a little annoyed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o6nBCg4Rn
The rapist he had managed to track down mid-crime was screaming like a banshee. What does Garrett do to put a stop to this shit?copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡivdhVZcd8F
Oh yeah.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5vbJmgvR2
Conner snapped the bulky man's neck and flitted away a few miles into another deserted alley to feed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYrKm3mC8e
Frankly, he was not in the mood to deal with the mess he made when he ripped into the dead man's throat, but he would certainly have to. He had forgotten how being out of practice could make things messy. Though to be honest, he only kept it clean when he wanted his prey to survive.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qJdHEdUSm
The man's blood tasted like watered down whiskey- probably a regular drunk then.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDs4Pbr6Gi
The woman he had left behind in the alley was still there when he got back, tears streaming down her face and he wondered why no one had come out to help her. He looked at his surroundings and realization hit him.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8khA4EDrhL
Shit like this probably happened often in this neighborhood.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhbovT3JNW
Conner had tossed the rapist's body in a dumpster and lit it on fire in the alley where he had fed and he could still hear it in the distance even though humans would most certainly not hear it.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nAxspJTwq
The woman screamed when she saw him.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFLufQ9Thq
"What? Do I have something on my face?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWIQkeJoXx
He ran a hand over his face and quickly realized how he might have turned the woman hysterical. Blood was drying on his chin and jaw.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3UUAmkkgQ
He wiped it with his sleeve.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtwwYLm7ED
"Hey, um Miss... Uh, that man's gone." His words didn't calm her and so he settled for knocking her out with a soft pinch. He found her identification and made short work of delivering her back to her doorstep, discomfort ricocheting through him in waves.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjzg9UuTjs
He never did figure out how to deal with people in hysterics.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDvlx6ISqZ
Humans were strange and he could never figure out what caused that shit or what could make them come down from it all.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbtfHr03zF
The woman would probably remember it all- but humans were quick to deny anything out of the ordinary and she'd be assumed crazed if she talked about him.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Yho8cT1v
Ten minutes later found him back in the doorway to Adam's flat, opening the doorway shyly, before sliding the rest of the way in.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡms8ROGXwzo
Adam didn't even look up from his book as he entered, "You good now?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡvizYxhqyl0
Conner bent over the kitchen sink and washed his face of the blood, scrubbing till his skin was an irritated pink that quickly faded back to its natural shade. He pulled off his bloody shirt and used it to pat dry his face, which felt scruffy from a bit of a beard coming in.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡd28ckwlwqm
He should shave, but did he want to? Nope.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MPaEDQB9p
He walked back over to Adam, standing over the human without a sound for a minute until Adam looked up and jumped a bit in surprise.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FIzEfR4Nc
The human blushed as he scanned him and Conner grinned, "I-"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41fcezJz5a
"Do you need a shirt?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7WLhAo8cy
Conner rolled his eyes, "Yes bu-"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcdfMSvDXj
Adam rolled off the couch and onto his feet and flitted away into the bedroom area to a set of drawers and tossed the immortal a stretchy wifebeater.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1k4eyEY8J
The vampire sighed, rolled his eyes again, but put it on nonetheless.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Q5P8GegS
Adam came out just as Conner was attempting to stretch it past his belly button (unsuccessfully.). Adam looked him over and burst into laughter at the annoyed look on the vampire's face.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO504RSzvP
Conner groaned and pulled it off, "I'll just scrub my shirt in the sink, then. At least it'll fit even if it's wet. And blood red. But whatever. Sara can probably summon me up some clothing tomorrow."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkRdp6M45U
Adam wiped a tear from his eye, "Sorry, I shouldn't have laughed."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1XvjsjFMH
Conner waved him off, "Feel free to laugh your ass off. I'm fairly entertaining."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdYEjOMZ22
Adam rolled his eyes and went back to reading while Conner scrubbed at his shirt in the sink with soap. He was grateful that it was a witch-made textile so it wouldn't rip if he was too harsh in his scrubbing.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPRYQVQIul
After twenty minutes Conner let out a cry of victory and Adam looked up to see the vampire glowing with his victory and wearing a very much see-through white t-shirt stained slightly pink around the collar.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡynGpA5wm9B
"How does that even still manage to fit you after you uh- well you know."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXPfC84p87
Conner grinned, "Witch-textiles, they shift to fit the wearer. They can even shift with shapeshifters. Pretty convenient if you ask me."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1WjZMePvI
The radio fritzed a bit and a new song came on- this time a classical string ballad.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡa35QtGW026
Conner plopped himself on the floor in front of the couch, his long legs crossed over one another at the knee as he leaned back on his elbows. Adam rolled his eyes.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj4qyGzC5H
"Pick a book or something, don't just stare."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxJGRIt5yZ
"But you're so nice to stare at!" Conner whined and Adam blushed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI3UzxAvxC
Conner smirked and placed his right hand over his forehead and did his best impression of Rose from Titanic, "Paint me like one of your french girls!"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9VGzun97t
Adam quirked a brow at him silently and Conner groaned.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR0AyRi2XQ
"Fine. Sketch me like one of your french girls!"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lz5F8CfEa
Adam quirked his brow again, this time in confusion.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡShjOXTik2q
"Is that a reference?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTiOtQGMTE
"Is that a reference? Only to an overplayed three-hour long cinematic tragedy!" Conner cried and then backed up suddenly, "Oh yeah, that doesn't come out till what? The nineties? Hell if I know. My bad. Sorry."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUpc04lCkZ
Adam smiled, almost smirkingly as he wrapped his arm to cushion his head as he laid out on the couch. Conner groaned and Adam sighed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcg51eZkz1
"Why don't you tell me about your lovers. I mean, you talked about one of them a while ago."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnV2cpTTcM
Conner leaned back and looked up at the ceiling.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPHW2H1njm
"I guess, I mean most of them are either immortal or long since dead. Well, some of them have gone to ground." He sighed, "Do you want to hear about the men or the women?"copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6zEcATbUs
"Either."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEQ9H2zBVL
Conner blew out a breath, "Well, there was Mary and her twin brother Michael. Both of them were sleeping with me just at different times without the other one noticing. That was a weird time."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡntB5pDMr16
He laughed, "They came from a witch bloodline and it was odd because Michael could use his abilities as well as his sister. It's odd because male witch heirs tend to be just carriers for the power of their bloodline."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡNodm2pXVBR
Conner looked up at the ceiling and fell flat on his back with his hands cushioning his head for support.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPweZehyPd
"Mary was beautiful in a approachable way. Her brother was stone cold with outsiders but took to liking me fairly quickly. I've always wondered why, but it's not like he could answer me now- he was hung during a witch trial with Mary. I had luckily managed to move their family, and their line is still going strong now I believe. Mary's granddaughter actually managed to make it to her transition and beyond that- she managed to survive."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdGVi6z4yA
He briefly looked at Adam, "Half of us don't survive our transitions. And that's true for almost all of the Family except for witches, who for the most part never manage to even reach their transition."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡblZoI2OGYp
"I had a daughter." He stated, a wave of depression sweeping over him as he continued to speak, "She was everything to me- and that was quite rare for us immortals. Most of us raise our children as a community and not a single family unit. But her mother, a witch, convinced me to and, well, it was probably the best thing I've ever done."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmf4BeiTN8
Adam had released his book to look over at the immortal, silent as he allowed the vampire to continue.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68lN4DTDIr
Conner smiled softly, "Her name was Melody. She was beautiful and had her mother's eyes- a pretty soft lavender shade that sparkled when she was excited. She could make anyone happy just by smiling at them. She was so young, so fucking nice- she should've made it through it. She had been healthy- she had never had trouble when it came to her body, her health, or hell, any of the training we had all been put through when we were raised."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTNdiwg6ce
His smiled turned bitter, "She should have made it through. She should have made it through."copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKBMOc176O
His repetition seemed to make his words sound even more disbelieving, even more pained as Adam listened to him.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcWBZ0fTEX
Conner went silent for a moment, dropping the bitter grin for a quiet disbelief that still struck him thousands of years after the fact.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSR869EmgR
He turned to look over at the human who answered his stare with a look of sympathy.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMBcyppzwv
But what could he know of the pain of losing a child. He might have lost his father from what he told Conner today- but that was not the same thing.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMHlnHmCA0
They say the worst thing a parent can go through is the death of a child before their own inevitable death.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVTr40BJmS
Death would not return him to his daughter.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXEb9dAyN7
Immortality was a curse- one he was subject to till the end of existence.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cTMxhtUU4
As he looked at the mortal laid out on the couch he appeared to almost become near decisive. But his mind was not certain- as much as he wanted it to becopyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu0OW5PyOb
The mortal was mated to him and Conner was certain that if he wasn't careful he'd grow too attached to this mortal for his own good. He was not a sucker for pain like Evangeline was- but knowing himself, he could see himself slipping into this relationship, sinking deeper and deeper till he would certainly not be able to climb out of that hole.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo95zjjaS7
It hadn't ever happened that badly before, but Conner could feel that this time would be different.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWjbIRtcLn
He was not looking forward to the end that awaited him when the mortal reached his inevitable own.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGShvOmkna
Conner sighed.copyright protection170ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOzFT8ZdjS
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